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Sergei Bobrovsky to miss three weeks with a lower body injury

by
Rob Mixer
/ Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets got their news on Sergei Bobrovsky this afternoon, and it's not very good.

Bobrovsky, who left Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings with 5:35 left in regulation, was to be re-evaluated by team medical personnel today. It was determined, after said evaluation, that Bobrovsky will miss three weeks with a lower body injury, GM Jarmo Kekalainen said tonight.

Prior to leaving the game against the Kings, Bobrovsky had made 33 saves on 34 shots and was the sole reason that Columbus hung around in the game and carried a lead into the third period.

His 27-save performance in Saturday's win over the Flyers boosted his record to 4-1-0 with a .947 save percentage in his last five starts, continuing an impressive rebound after an uncharacteristic slow start to the 2015-16 season.

The unfortunate injury means veteran backup Curtis McElhinney assumes the No. 1 job in the interim. McElhinney has played well in each of his four previous starts this season but has yet to pick up a win (0-4-1); he relieved Bobrovsky on Tuesday and was tagged with the overtime loss.

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said after Wednesday's practice that he has total faith in McElhinney to get the job done until Bobrovsky returns.

"He's played good, and I feel very comfortable (with him)," Tortorella said. "Hell of a spot (to come into) last night. We were in our end zone the whole game. The wave had already drowned us. He got a save in his chest and that's all he needed, he made a great glove save...he has no chance on the winning goal.

"I liked the way he responded in a very difficult situation and he's played well. We're very comfortable with him in net and we'll go (from) there."